Hubert Robert

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The restoration to this picture seems to be effective, and the painting can be hung in its current condition. The canvas has been lined, and although the cracking is slightly raised, the surface is attractive. Under ultraviolet light, one can see that small and mostly accurate retouches have been applied to the darker colors of the foliage in the right and left to reduce some thinness and cracking. In the male figure in the lower right there are a few retouches addressing some weakness in the clothes. There are also retouches in the figure on the steps. The figure on the steps with the back turned towards the viewer has a fairly large pentiment above and to the right of its head that has been retouched. There are also restorations in the sky in the upper right and upper center. The slightly raised cracking is visible in places, and if one were to retouch further, it would be to carefully eliminate some of these cracks, particularly the light colored ones in the darker trees and bushes on the left side.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

A prolific painter of Roman ruins, gardens, and landscape and architectural fantasies, Robert imbued his work with a sense of imagination and an idyllic, timeless quality.  The fantastical park setting displayed here demonstrates the influence which Robert's time in Rome had on the French artist. During his time in Italy, he visited the sites of Tivoli, the Temple of Sybil, the gardens of the Villa d'Este, and the Palazzo Farnese at Caprarola. The grand staircase at Caprarola may have in fact inspired the composition for this scene. Depicting a straight and dramatically expansive staircase, in which tightly organized shrubs and trees follow the staircase towards its apex, the scene is illustrated and highlighted with vivid tones of blue and green.  The figures in the foreground add a classical overtone to the composition, they are dressed in flowing antique inspired dress. The overall feeling is one of timelessness and serenity, and of man and nature in harmony.

The picture will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Hubert Robert being prepared by The Wildenstein Institute.